Havies in thrilling win

Scrum half Amjad Buksh fired across a last minute penalty to give Havelocks Sports Club a thrilling 23-20 victory over Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club in their Caltex inter club ‘A’ division league rugby tournament match worked off at Welisara yesterday.

The Havies collected their points from one goal, two tries and two penalties after having trailed 3-7 at half time. Navy SC responded with two goals, one penalty and one drop goal.

The scores were level 20 all going into the last few minutes of play and Havelocks SC did well to earn a penalty with Amjad Buksh responding magnificently with a perfect kick. Earlier Navy SC opened scoring through an intercepted try by Dinusha Chaturanga who covered nearly 80 metres to touch down as early as in the second minute of play. Samantha Lakshan added the extra points.

Havelocks SC reduced the margin to 3-7 with Samoan Angsta Sai putting over a 30 metre penalty shortly before half time. The visitors further extended their lead when Chamara Vithanage went over for an unconverted try.

Samantha Lakshan put over a 25 metre penalty to give Navy SC the lead once again 10-8 at that stage. However Havelocks SC surged ahead following a superb try from substitute player Pola with Buksh adding the extra points.

Fly half Dav Ananda kept Navy SC’s hopes alive with a beautiful drop goal which was followed by a spectacular try from their blind side winger Niranjan Wickremaratne.

This was followed by a similar effort from Havelocks winger Anuruddha Wilwara who brushed aside a couple of defenders to score near the corer flag. Buksh missed the conversion but he came out with a match winning penalty few minutes later.

Referee: Priyantha Gunaratne

(C.D)